Have mercy
We are living in times where it seems that the concept of respect for others is disappearing. The golden rule, treating others the way we want to be treated, sounds like a thing of the past. We do not confront injustices unless they affect us directly.
Jesus spoke of this using a parable.
There was a rich man who… feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table …The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and…he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me – Luke 16:19-24
The rich man saw injustice literally on his doorstep. He had the ability to end the injustice, but he chose to ignore it. After all, it wasn’t him who was in need. But eventually the need caught up with him. It is not until then that he understood the importance of crying out for justice (“have mercy”).
The followers of Christ know what it means to receive mercy. But it seems that sometimes we forget and ignore the many Lazaruses of our life. The kingdom of God is not like that. The kingdom of God is characterized by Samaritans who see the needy on the road and take it upon themselves to meet their need.
A change of attitude is required. We have to consider the injustices of this life as if we were experiencing them personally. It is time to cry out for justice, and when it is within our reach, provide to satisfy the need.
Oh God, help me not to conform to the selfish tendencies of this world: transform my heart and create in me an attitude of empathy, compassion and justice characteristic of your son Jesus!
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